Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, the legislature referendum.
• Number one, asking for a referendum.
• > close<01:52:50.480> the<01:52:50.800> school referendum.
• Number two, close the school referendum.
• ,<01:53:00.960> has<01:53:01.199> been operating referendum, has been operating referendum

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• consolidated districts, the referendum consolidated districts, the referendum levy<00:30:51.440>
• Section 15 is the third section related to the referendum renewal authority that I described earlier
• from the Clark and Farnsworth bills, and clarifies that an expiring referendum may be renewed by the
• <00:35:46.640> renewal to the the the referendum renewal to the the the referendum renewal
• may be renewed uh an expiring referendum may be renewed by<00:35:58.400> the<00:35:58.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know several of you reached out when we talked and said that we wanted to referendum this bill.
• So the addition to the bill is we added a requirement for a referendum to be placed on the 2026 general
• In Allen, DeKalb, and Subben counties, this referendum will be binding.
• We also push the application deadline back to December 1, 2026, to account for the referendum occurring
• To account for the referendum occurring in November.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the work that we've done is a direct result of the property tax referendum that we have in our
• Most of the work that we've done is a direct result of the property tax referendum that we have in our
• And so we've used funds to do all this work through that property tax referendum.
• Most of the work that we've done is a direct result of the property tax referendum that we have in our
• And so we've used funds to do all this work through that property tax referendum.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lucie County Mosquito Control District by 336 square miles, and it comes with a referendum.
• Owen: This is a local bill calling for a referendum to amend the Hillsborough County Charter in the 2026
• The referendum, if approved by the Rep.
• Owen: The referendum language is on page 14 of the bill. It is clear and unambiguous.
• This is a referendum, so ultimately it's up to the voters to decide. That is the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill could be enacted into a law by ordinance of a local governing body without the need for a referendum
• something that may be enacted into law or ordinance of a local governing body without legal need for a referendum
• upon... ...whether the bill is publicly noticed, whether it will take effect upon subject to a referendum
• district, because the Florida Constitution requires such changes to be approved by voters in a referendum

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard and passed two measures before receiving a staff presentation on the local bill process and local delegation meetings. HB 4007, by Rep. Snyder, would cap reimbursement for certain inmate emergency medical services in Martin County at 110% of the Medicare rate, with a higher cap if a provider shows it is operating at a loss. Snyder said the bill is intended to create predictability and save taxpayer dollars; members asked about fiscal effects and whether other counties could adopt similar language. Public testimony came in support from Martin County and related local officials, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee also passed HM 4005, by Rep. Daly, which urges Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure. Daly argued Florida’s troop allocation is outdated and inadequate for the state’s population and disaster demands, contributing to burnout and recruiting problems. Members asked about the basis for the current allocation, possible budget and infrastructure impacts, and the National Guard’s needs; there was no opposition or public testimony, and the memorial was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the votes, Reps. Holcomb and Kendall gave a detailed presentation explaining how local bills differ from general laws, constitutional limits on local legislation, required local delegation meetings and notice, certification and economic impact forms, and amendment procedures. Members asked several process questions, including about multi-county delegations and Miami-Dade’s special status. The meeting ended with a few recognitions and adjournment before session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes county clerks to retain the signature packets for an initiative and referendum rather
• The bill authorizes county clerks to retain the signature packets for an initiative and referendum rather
• Yes, it's for initiative and referendum as well. This is for initiatives as well, right?
• Yes, it's for initiative and referendum as well.
• I just wanted to raise a point that in 2019 and 2020 there was a statewide referendum, and the collectors

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona voters passed a referendum that included similar language in their voter right to know act that
• Arizona voters passed a referendum that included similar language in their voter right to know act that
• Arizona voters passed a referendum that included similar language in their voter right to know act that
• Arizona voters passed a referendum that included similar language in their voter right to know act that
• Arizona voters passed a referendum that included similar language in their voter right to know act that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certainly heard in 2012 the debate points that were brought up by people opposed to a constitutional referendum
• certainly heard in 2012 the debate points that were brought up by people opposed to a constitutional referendum
• certainly heard in 2012 the debate points that were brought up by people opposed to a constitutional referendum
• up by people opposed to a were brought up by people opposed to a constitutional<01:00:52.079> referendum
• <01:00:52.640> in constitutional referendum in constitutional referendum in 2012<01:00:54.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Elections Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first considered the reappointment of Steven Swanson to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Swanson described his background in legal aid, lobbying, judging, and international rule-of-law work, and said he wanted to continue serving the public. Committee members praised his experience and discussed the importance of campaign finance oversight, including preventing corporate participation in Minnesota elections. Senator Wosinski moved to recommend Swanson’s confirmation, and the motion was adopted. The committee then heard Senate File 529, a proposed constitutional amendment to state that elections shall be free, fair, and equal, and that no civil or military power may interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote. Senator Dibble presented the bill as a way to strengthen voting rights and provide a constitutional basis to challenge voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unfair campaign practices. Testimony in support came from David Fischer of Clean Elections Minnesota and Jean Massie of Fair Vote Minnesota, both of whom argued the amendment would protect access to voting, increase confidence in elections, and align Minnesota with other states that have similar language. Members discussed whether the amendment’s broad language could invite judicial interpretation or affect future election laws. Senator Koran questioned how the proposal would improve Minnesota’s already high turnout, while Senator Grant raised concerns that the terms “free, fair, and equal” were undefined and could shift power to the courts. Senator Lucero proposed an oral amendment to add “ensuring one eligible citizen, one vote” after the word “equal,” saying it would address concerns about future voter ID laws. The amendment was restated by counsel and discussed, with Senator Dibble saying it did not significantly harm the bill but suggesting it might imply a requirement he did not intend. The transcript ends during discussion of that oral amendment, and no final vote on the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Privileges and Elections Committee for us to, as we did earlier this year with the previous referendum
• the Privileges and Elections Committee for us to, as we did earlier this year with the previous referendum
• Much like when we did this before for the previous referendum, this is language that was developed by

Summary: The joint meeting of the Privileges and Elections Committees convened with a quorum present to approve explanatory ballot language for three proposed constitutional amendments scheduled for the November ballot. The committee reviewed the amendments on reproductive freedom, the right to vote, and the right to marry, with staff explaining that the committee was only approving neutral voter-facing explanation language, not the constitutional text itself. Members raised questions about wording, ballot order, and whether the explanations were sufficiently clear or potentially leading, especially on the reproductive freedom amendment. For HJ 1/SJ 1, the committee debated the explanation at length, including objections that it was misleading or incomplete and responses from counsel and supporters that it accurately tracked the amendment text. A motion to insert “Question 1” into the explanation was adopted, and the amended explainer language for the reproductive freedom amendment was then approved. The committee then moved through the right-to-vote and right-to-marry amendments, similarly adding question numbers to the explanatory language before approving the amended explanations. Recorded votes showed the amendments to the explanatory language passing on party-line divisions in both chambers, generally with Senate support from the majority and House support from the majority, while several members voted no. After approving the amended explainer language for all three amendments, the committee concluded the meeting and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Privileges and Elections Committee for us to, as we did earlier this year with the previous referendum
• Did earlier this year with the previous referendum, approve explanation language on the three proposed
• Much like when we did this before for the previous referendum, this is language that was developed by

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PLEASE REJECT LISA THAT'S THIS AMENDMENT AND PLACE IT WITH A LOCAL REFERENDUM STILL IN EACH COUNTY THAT
• AND CHRIS DOOLIN AND SOME OF THE SMALL COUNTIES, YOU KNOW, IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO DO A LOCAL REFERENDUM
• THERE IS NO WAY TO DO A LOCAL REFERENDUM UNLESS THERE IS A COUNTY CHARTER PUT IN IT’S PLACE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or if that rate was previously approved by a voter referendum.
• They generally deal with voter referendums and very specific restrictions on those.
• Now it also allows for voter referendums to further cap special districts.
• this happens most often with things like the Children's Services District, it requires a voter referendum
• It also allows for special millages to be adopted by voter referendum for debt and other special purposes

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4027 is a local bill for a referendum relating to Hillsborough County schools.
• What is the compelling state interest to have a referendum for our superintendent to be elected?
• The beautiful part of a referendum is that's exactly what we'll find out.
• HB 4029 is another local bill that will call for a referendum to amend the Hillsborough County Charter
• This referendum, if approved by the voters of Hillsborough County, will change the makeup of the Board

Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is if the merger passes by a referendum.
• Again, this is if the merger passes by a referendum.
• Voters have approved this through a referendum. Voters have approved this through a referendum.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard a full agenda of local and policy bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved HB 4019, capping Lake County inmate health care and emergency transport reimbursements at percentages tied to Medicare; HB 97, allowing small counties to opt back into transportation concurrency; HB 267, expanding SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to mobile home owners paying lot rent; HB 351, creating a framework for concurrent state jurisdiction over certain matters involving military installations, with an amendment changing the bill to say the state “may accept” jurisdiction; HB 4013, revising and merging fire district boundaries in Lee County; HB 481, increasing public nuisance fines and strengthening nuisance abatement and foreclosure procedures; HB 4025, conveying state land to the Village of Tequesta for continued park use; and HB 4017, repealing an obsolete Nassau County recreation and water control district, as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 299, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which would create a voluntary framework for very large developments that dedicate 60% of land to conservation while allowing compact, walkable development and affordable housing on the remainder. The sponsor argued it would balance growth, conservation, and housing affordability without new bureaucracy, while opponents from Audubon Florida, county groups, and local governments warned the bill could weaken local planning, lack enforceable conservation safeguards, and allow nonconservation uses within reserved areas. Supporters said it could preserve large tracts of land at no taxpayer cost and improve long-range planning. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying reserve areas, allowing use of the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, requiring easements be provided without charge, and aligning affordability definitions with existing programs. The bill then passed favorably as amended, with some members voting no. The committee also approved HB 4023, a local bill adjusting the boundaries of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District in Collier County, with no change to the district’s powers and duties. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local officials, industry groups, or affected residents, and some had amendments adopted without objection. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted it was the last interim committee week meeting, thanked members and staff, and encouraged continued stakeholder engagement ahead of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• elected official in the state of Washington were the results of Washington State's capital gains tax referendum
• Carlina with the Center Square—do you intend to attach an emergency clause to this bill to make it referendum-proof
• So we have, in essence, a public referendum on our leadership and the direction it should go in every
• most recent poll, if you will, that we have received on this question is the capital gains tax referendum

Summary: The meeting was a press conference and Q&A led by Rep. Shaun Scott to promote the proposed Well Washington Fund, a new dedicated account intended to raise about $3 billion annually through a corporate payroll tax on wages above $125,000. Scott said the bill would help offset expected federal cuts under Trump-era policies and support programs most at risk, including cash assistance, higher education, health care, housing, and wildfire mitigation. He also referenced two related proposals: restoring wildfire mitigation funding by ending a tax break for large banks, and allowing counties to raise corporate taxes. Several advocates and affected residents testified in support of progressive revenue. Michelle Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance warned that federal homelessness policy changes and state underinvestment could worsen homelessness and evictions. Christina Savitsky, a disabled veteran, described how Medicaid, food assistance, and work requirements would affect her family. Representatives from the University of Washington AAUP said federal cuts and Medicaid changes threaten teaching, research, workforce training, and hospital finances. Fatima Boxwala of Tech for Taxes and Mikey Stramskis of the Washington Federation of State Employees argued that large corporations and the wealthy should pay more to sustain public services and address understaffing, burnout, and service backlogs. In the Q&A, Scott said the bill may need an emergency clause to make it referendum-proof and argued that the legislature has a mandate to act, citing the 2024 capital gains tax referendum and the state’s regressive tax system. He acknowledged concerns about businesses leaving but said he was more concerned about working people being displaced by unaffordable housing, child care, and health care. No vote or formal committee action occurred; the event was a call for a hearing in the House Finance Committee in 2026 and for legislative passage in both chambers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, taxpayers overwhelmingly supported the referendum to install this, and I think Minnesota taxpayers
• taxpayers overwhelmingly<00:11:53.279> supported<00:11:53.600> the<00:11:53.720> referendum
• overwhelmingly supported the referendum overwhelmingly supported the referendum to<00:11:54.399>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In the past, expanded gaming truly had required a referendum to implement.
• For example, referendum to uh implement.
• in uh Kino, we had a referendum in uh Kino, we had a referendum requirement<00:02:51.200> and
• 2026 to avoid having the referendum 2026 to avoid having the referendum requirement. requirement
• And I would probably, if we had a referendum on this bill, it would probably fail.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The referendum was for $1.9 million and $50,000 a year for technology and capital project levy support
• The referendum was for $1.9 million and $50,000 a year for technology and capital project levy support
• The referendum was for $1.9 million and $50,000 a year for technology and capital project levy support
• The referendum was for $1.9 million and $50,000 a year for technology and capital project levy support
• was for $1.9 it failed the referendum was for $1.9 million<00:08:34.599> and<00:08:34.680>

Bills: HF957, HF877

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > is<00:11:41.480> in The city is permitted, and this is in this instance, without a referendum
• And in the House Taxes Committee, the proposal to make it a referendum failed by one vote.
• into a referendum. into a referendum.
• the proposal to make it a referendum the proposal to make it a referendum failed<00:27:47.200>
• um in the tax bill require referendum um in the tax bill that<00:33:24.280> we've<00:33:24.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all